FIVE years after it was first discussed, a third attempt is to be made to introduce post codes in Ireland.

The Department of Communications has already employed a firm of consultants -- for the third time -- and is expected to put out a tender for "expressions of interest" in formulating a system of post codes in the coming weeks. Sources in the department also believe that An Post is now in favour of the plan. The Department of Communications has also confirmed that the latest tender will specify a "post code and location code" system.

Originally, the Data Protection Commissioners had expressed disquiet about 'unique identification' post codes, but these concerns have now been addressed.

Gary Delaney, CEO of Loc8 Code, an award-winning location-system company based in Crosshaven, Co Cork, has pioneered the use of a system of "unique" codes in Ireland.

"At the moment, there is a big demand from the commercial market -- our system can send people to a precise location, even if it's a wind turbine half way up a mountain. There are huge savings to be made on fuel and time by commercial organisations."

Using "unique" post-codes would be a huge improvement on the area-based system that operates in Britain, he says and his firm is advocating the introduction of the most technologically advanced system.

The Cork-based company, which operates with Garmin Europe, has already generated 49,800 codes of its own. Its CEO, a former naval officer, says their system is a "smarter form" of post codes and its system will also help the emergency services, getting them to exact locations "more rapidly".